16 Causes for a Prolonged Period

Why won’t my period go away? There are many reasons why your period may go on longer than expected. But remember that it’s not uncommon for menstruation to last seven days.

If your period is still going on after the seven-day mark, here’s why:

1. You’ve Just Started Your Period

The average cycle is 28 days, although it may be shorter or longer for some women. But in the first few years of menstruation, cycles are typically longer. As you become more regular, your cycle shortens.

Along with a longer cycle, you may also have your period for longer than average.

If you’ve just menstruating, this is likely the cause of your extended period.

2. Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is a condition that can cause excessively prolonged and heavy periods that are irregular.

Heavy bleeding is a concern for many premenopausal women, but in most cases, the bleeding isn’t heavy enough to be considered menorrhagia. In other words, this condition causes serious blood loss.

Women with menorrhagia lose so much blood and their periods last so long that they cannot maintain their normal activities.

Common symptoms of menorrhagia include:

Bleeding for more than seven days.

Soaking through at least one tampon or sanitary pad every hour for several hours.

Needing to wear two sanitary pads to control your menstrual flow.

Anemia (severe fatigue, tiredness, and shortness of breath).

Unable to maintain normal activities.

Needing to change sanitary pads or tampons in the middle of the night.

3. Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis occurs when the endometrium, or the inner lining of the uterus, starts to break through the wall of the uterus. This condition may be confined to one spot, or it may be located throughout the entire uterus.

While not considered life-threatening, the condition can cause some very uncomfortable symptoms, including:

Prolonged and very heavy menstrual bleeding.

Abdominal bloating and pressure.

Severe pain and cramping.

Adenomyosis is a common condition, and it is typically diagnosed in women who have had children and middle-aged women.

Women who have had uterine surgery may also be at higher risk of developing this condition.

4. Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

When uterine bleeding is abnormal, a condition called dysfunctional uterine bleeding may be the cause. As its name suggests, this condition occurs when there’s a disruption to the normal cyclic pattern of the endometrial lining.

Common symptoms include:

Unpredictable bleeding

Excessive bleeding

Prolonged periods

Approximately 1-2% of women who do not seek treatment for this condition will develop endometrial cancer.

5. Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometrial hyperplasia occurs when the uterine lining is too thick. In most cases, excess estrogen and too little progesterone is what causes this condition.

When ovulation does not occur, the body does not make progesterone, and the lining of the uterus does not shed. As a result, the uterine lining continues to grow. The cells that make up the lining may cluster together and eventually become abnormal.

Common symptoms of this condition include:

Heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Shorter menstrual cycles (less than 21 days).

Bleeding after menopause.

Endometrial hyperplasia can be treated with progestin, or synthetic progestogen.

6. Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are common among women of reproductive age. This condition occurs when benign tumors begin growing in the womb.

Depending on the severity of the condition, you may or may not experience any symptoms. Those that do havesymptoms will often experience:

Constipation and frequent urination

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Prolonged menstrual bleeding

Pain in the back and legs

Pressure in the pelvis

Hormonal therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of this condition and shrink the fibroid tumors.

10. Intrauterine Device (IUD) Usage

This is one of the most common causes why younger women have long periods. Younger women tend to use intrauterine devices, which are a type of birth control that is placed directly into a woman’s cervix. With that in mind, there are two main types of IUDs.

The first is a non-hormonal, copper-based IUD and the second is a hormonal, progestin-based IUD. However, while both are different, both can cause abnormally long periods. This is particularly true, especially right after insertion.

In fact, heavier periods are a confirmed side effect of the copper IUD. On the other hand, the progestin IUD is advertised as a way to reduce or possibly even eliminate a woman’s period. However, this is usually a pro that is gained after the first few cycles.

Initially, progestin-IUD users may have more or longer bleeding than they usually do. If you find that after three cycles your periods remain long and heavy, you may want to go back to your doctor to check if your IUD has moved out of position or if it simply does not suit you.

11. You May Be Pregnant

While no periods are usually a tell-tale sign of pregnancy, this is not always the case. It is possible for you to get abnormal menses as a result of pregnancy. In fact, many common signs of pregnancy may be absent from a woman. It all depends on the individual.

Hence, if you feel like there’s a possibility that you may be pregnant and you have abnormal periods, consider getting a blood test to check for pregnancy to see if it is the cause.

12. Early Miscarriage

Early miscarriages are actually very common. In fact, up to 50% of pregnancies actually end in miscarriage before the woman even knew that she was actually pregnant. Abnormal periods are actually one of the only tell-tale signs of this.

Your menstrual cycle length should return back to normal generally within one to two cycles. If it exceeds that time frame, you should contact your doctor. This is actually more common than most think, with 1 in 100 women suffering from repeat miscarriages.

This is why you should consider this a possibility for your prolonged periods.

13. Using Hormonal Birth Control Methods

Messing with your hormones can affect your periods, which includes making it longer than usual. This includes the usage of hormonal birth control pills, patches, rings, shots and implants. However, you can possibly solve your prolonged period issue by trying different options.

There are many options with different types and levels of hormones. Hence, if your body does not work well with one type of hormone or dosage, you can try a few other kinds to find one that works for you.

14. Various Diseases

This possibility is much rarer than the others, but it is also possible that your prolonged period is a symptom of an underlying illness like cancer or a hematologic (blood) disease.

For example, for cervical cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding as well as spotting and bleeding between periods, bleeding after vaginal sex and prolonged menses are usually one of the very first symptoms. In fact, sometimes, these are the only signs of the disease.

You should stay up-to-date with all your Pap smears and HPV tests to make sure you are in the clear. You should particularly be on alert if you have a family history of cervical cancer.

Be sure to inform your doctor if you think that there’s a possibility that your longer periods are a hint to a more serious disease.

15. You’re Approaching Menopause

As you approach menopause with age, your periods can also get messed up. Usually, women reach menopause at around the age of 50, which is usually when you’ve gone 12 or more months without having a period.

At this time, your body starts to naturally decline in the number of hormones, with this process starting as early as 35. Your periods can either get longer or shorter, as it also gets more random and sporadic. You may also notice some other slight changes as well.

If you have ruled out all the other possibilities and you are getting to your thirties, your prolonged periods may simply be a part of the natural aging process.

16. You’ve Contracted a Sexually Transmitted Infection

Prolonged periods, especially if they are unusually painful, may be a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. The excessive bleeding may make it seem like you have an especially long period, but it could also mean that you have something like gonorrhea or chlamydia.

If so, you must get it treated as soon as possible, since these infections are best treated early.

How Long Do Periods Normally Last?

For most women, their period only lasts three to five days. However, anywhere from two to seven days is considered normal.

When to See a Doctor If Your Period Last Long?

If your period is lasting longer than seven days, see your doctor right away. Bleeding for more than a week is abnormal.

Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Severe pain

Heavy bleeding

Pressure in the pelvis

Fever

Symptoms that prevent you from carrying out your normal activities

Prolonged periods are often a sign of abnormality in the growth and shedding of the uterine lining. Hormonal imbalance is often to blame, but your doctor will provide you with a proper diagnosis and a proper treatment plan.

How to Stop a Long (Prolonged) Period?

If your period lasts for more than seven days, you may be searching for ways to stop the bleeding right away. Provided the bleeding isn’t too severe, you may have to wait for your body to naturally stop bleeding.

Once your period stops, your doctor can recommend treatment to help prevent excessive bleeding in the future.

Other treatments for prolonged periods include:

NSAIDS, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.

Hysteroscopy, a procedure that removes fibroids and other growths in the uterus.

Hysterectomy, a procedure that removes the cervix and uterus.

Endometrial resection, a procedure that removes the internal lining of the uterus.

Restoring your body’s natural hormonal balance can help alleviate symptoms and prevent abnormal cycles in the future. There are both natural and conventional treatment options to correct hormonal imbalances. Your doctor can help you choose the right treatment path for you.

Prolonged periods can be concerning, especially if the change is sudden. If you’re bleeding for more than seven days, see your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms and find the right treatment option for you. While uncomfortable, most of the conditions that cause extensive menstrual bleeding are treatable with medication or surgery.

How to Cope When Your Period Is Prolonged?

A normal period is already a pain to deal with, which makes a prolonged period even worse.

While you try to figure out the reason behind your prolonged period, you should try various ways to help yourself cope with the physical symptoms and emotional experiences you get during a period.

All this can help you before you get a more specific treatment for whatever the cause of your prolonged period is.

Heat Treatment

Heat can help you ease your cramps and back pain. You can try a variety of heat sources like an electric heating pad on your belly or your lower back. Conversely, you may try taking a hot bath or shower.

The warm or hot water can help you reduce muscle tension. This heat treatment can be used as often as needed during your period to help you feel more comfortable.

Exercising

When you have painful cramps, you most likely want to lie in bed and get some rest. However, moving around might actually decrease the pain and help you feel better. Exercise helps you release endorphins, which help distract you from the pain.

You can try swimming or even doing a cardio dance class to help reduce your pain. You might need to exercise several times during a prolonged period to feel the full benefits of exercise. A possible activity includes yoga.

Yoga can also help you ease your anxiety and boost your mood. You can also easily pick this up since you can learn it from videos that are online.

Eat Healthy

While it may be tempting to give in to your cravings when you’re on your period, you should choose to eat more healthily. You should resist the temptation to eat excessively salty or sweet foods.

Since prolonged periods will take up significantly large parts of your months, you should aim to eat as per norm or healthier, rather than making too many exceptions for yourself and binging on snacks.

Salty snacks like chips can actually increase bloating. Instead, you could have some banana and oats since they are said to help reduce cramping.

Ice

If you have a headache, you may consider using ice to help you reduce the pain. During your period, you are more susceptible to hormonal headaches, so you can use ice instead of pain medicine.

Acupuncture

Some people feel better after an acupuncture session for their headaches. If you want to use this option, you must research your area for an acupuncturist. Once you know of a good location, then you can schedule future appointments in advance.

Soothing Teas

With periods, you often feel irritable, depressed, anxious and sad. These feelings last even longer since your periods are prolonged. Hence, you may choose to drink some soothing teas that can help you restore your mood.

Some good teas that have soothing properties include lemon, chamomile and holy basil tea. You can experiment with different teas and see which ones work for you and can help you relax and feel better.

Allocate Time for Rest and Relaxation

When you’re dealing with all this period drama, you should give yourself some time to take a break. You should take your time to sleep and even just relax with something you enjoy. At the end of the day, remember to let yourself breathe.

Home Remedies to Try Out

While there are many over-the-counter medicines that can help you with menstruation symptoms, you may consider some home remedies that may resolve some of your issues as well.

Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds will be able to help you reduce your excessive bleeding. Simply take 2-3 teaspoons of coriander seeds and boil it in 2-3 cups of water for about 5 minutes. Strain the seeds out and then drink the water.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can help remove the toxins from your body while concurrently maintaining your hormonal balance, which helps you reduce the excessive blood flow. You just need to mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it about twice or thrice a day.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another spice that can help you reduce your excessive blood flow. You can simply boil a piece of cinnamon in water and sip the water like tea.

Ginger

Ginger tea can help reduce bloating and can also lessen your excessive menstrual flow. To prepare this, you should take a piece of ginger, beat it a few times before adding it to boiling water. Boil it for about ten minutes before allowing it to cool.

Then, strain the ginger out, add a little honey and drink the water like tea.

Lady’s Mantle

Lady’s mantle can help stop external and internal bleeding, which includes excessive menstrual bleeding as well. Lady’s mantle has been said to help regulate menstrual cycles, relieve cramping as well as help heal fibroids and endometriosis.

You can make an infusion using lady’s mantle or drink it like a tea. You should consult your doctor before using this herb to cure your prolonged period.

Fennel

This is another great option to help you with these period issues. Fennel powder has the ability to ease menstrual pain and reduce your menstrual flow. You can add a teaspoon of fennel powder to boiling water and boil it for several minutes.

After, allow it to cool until it is just warm. Then, strain the powder out and drink the water.

Vitex

Vitex, which is also known as chasteberry, can possibly relieve prolonged menstrual bleeding. Vitex has been said to normalize pituitary gland functions and can also help improve progesterone functioning.

However, vitex works rather slowly, so you will have to give this herb a few months before noticing significant differences. Vitex can be consumed as an infusion or a tincture. You should consult your doctor before using this herb to help your prolonged period.

71 COMMENTS

I know it’s crazy but I ALWAYS ALWAYS wonder why or how can a woman menstruation become a national SOMETHING to have three day off with pay for this it’s soo painful..sometime we have to leave work or not go because of the pain and heavy flowing…interfering with work going back and forth to bathroom to clean and change pads. How can we prove to our boss about the pain, Is it possible.

A friend of mine has very painful periods. She was able to get FML(family medical leave)documentation. Her doctor, being aware of how debilitating her periods would get some months, filled out the paperwork about her condition and that she should be allowed up to X amount of days off per month for it. These are unpaid days but at least she can have a day or whatever off to feel better and not have to worry about losing her job.

i’ve my periods its been past 1 month and from past 14 days i consulted gyno and she provided with the medicine but its not stopped and i don’t feel any pain but now from three days ive very light pain in lower abdomen . i want to knw the reason behind it. please reply me with a valuable feedback. ty:)

Same here sister. Its been one and half month now. its not getting stopped. I have consulted a doctor too. Dont know wat to now. My situation is so pathetic with heavy bleeding and clots. GODDDDDDDDDDDDD. Please save us. No one should suffer like me.

I’m having the same problem. It sucks! Always worried about being near a bathroom to change a super plus tampon every hour, lots of clots, etc. Has anyone tried a cup vs. tampons to capture heavy flow. Been almost 2 months of non-stop bleeding. Ugh.

I am 43 almost 44 and going through the same problem, did you find a cause? I have no medical insurance so its hard to find help. I cant afford to pay out of pocket working part time and on unemployment.

Check out planned parenthood, i can’t afford heath care and i went in for birth control, they gave me a health care card where i can see a doctor for free for anything that has to do with my reproductive system. I got free birth control, STD testing, and i got to sit down and talk to a doctor about my health concerns. The doctors are always friendly and helpful.

Actually I have the same problem. I got periods after 3 months and it is not stopping for a more than 1 months now. I been to the GP many times and he prescribed me to take primolut N 5 mg TDS for a 10 days. I started taking that last 1 week ago for a 3 days and bleeding stopped but from today bleeding started again so I am starting that medication again from today. It is really awful and weird feelings getting periods for a long time. Really frustrated.

I did not get my periods for last three months so after three months I got my periods already eleven days passed away but bleeding did not stop so is this normal or any other problem please let me know

Thank you so much for mentioning it could be due to a medication!! I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I began taking Zoloft right at the beginning of my cycle. I bled for an entire 3 weeks with fresh blood each day, all the while I was researching prolonged periods and thought I had freaking cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries! As soon as I saw your comment, I was like, doh!! *facepalm! I stopped taking the Zoloft immediately, even though my physician claimed there was no way it was due to the med. Oh yes it was. The first day the blood was finally brown (instead of fresh red as it had been), second day it was almost gone, and the third evening it was totally gone! No way is that a coincidence.

Hi. I’ve had my period for 11 days now and it’s still not stopping. This is the second time that this happened. Last month, my period lasted for 10 days and I consulted a gynecologist and was on medication and it stopped. I have regular menstruation since I started having it (4-6 days usually). Should I be concerned and go to the doctor.

My period has not stopped for a month. It has went from heavy to light but not stopping. I am having bad cramps and bloated. I can’t be pregnant cause my tubes have been burned and clipped for over 17 years. What is happening I’m only 39. Could I be premenopausal? HELP!

I’m 35 I started my period a week or so before x-mas it lasted the normal days 4 to 5 days ‘ a few days before x-mas I was getting really bad stomach cramps and didn’t know why I just gotten over my period ‘ so x-mas eve I start bleeding again and has not stopped ,it was heavy then it slowed down I thought it was stopping but to my surprise it got really heaven and hasn’t stopped !! Does anyone have any idea what could be the problem?

I’ve had my period for four months now. I take continuous birth control, but that doesn’t help. I’ve never had a “normal period” but three months here, four months here is just too much. I’ve had tests done, can not find the cause of it. Can’t take it anymore………..

I dont know what to do ?last december i been in hospital in winnipeg mb cause of heavy period 4 days.and im so weak and the doctor suggested to give me injectable birthcontrol that 3 months no menstration.i did i agree because i was so nervous or scare to have a heavy period every month.since i got that injection?my bleeding wont stopped until now more than a month still in period i felt dizziness.my sight is not clear my stoomaches lose appetite .i cant go to work if i see my face in the mirror so no blood.stupid the doctorgive that birthcontrol to stop my bleeding but is not working is getti g worst killing me softly.ir doctor give prescription to have profits?to get the money from the big pharma?actually not give us healing bit to get worst so they can give us more poison?

I have had my period for over a month now. Was pregnant but afraid that I suffered a miscarriage and stress may also be apart of it. IDK. I know last time that I had a miscarriage this happened. (my period lasting more than a normal period would last). Idk whether to go to a gynocoligist or let it run its course and wait for it to stop. Need some advice before I go nuts. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

I’m glad to know am not the only one going through this. Am on day 13.Period started on January 5th .Thank God I got through Christmas and NewYear. Went to ER, they found nothing from ultrasound and blood work. I do have fibroids but I always have regular period 3 to 4 days. I am 42 years old so I have no clue what is happening. Lord Help.

Hi, my wife has been on her periods for almost two months now. She has visited the doctor two times now. The treatments she gets doesn’t seem to be working, the bleeding just won’t stop. She began to lose weight now and sometimes she feels weak, I think that’s because of a lot of blood she has lost now in her system. Plz help, I am very worried 🙁

Hi Sherry, did your doctor said it’s normal? I’m having my non-stop period for almost 3 months now but didn’t feel any symptoms as stated above . I’m doing proper diet now and regular exercise hoping that it’s one of the major causes why I experience this.

Hi, am Joyce, I have fibroid and this is the first time my period has lasted for 11 days now and this has never happened to me before, it is still coming small small. I’m very worried since I do not know when it is going to stop. what should I do?

Hi I’m Allie. And I’ve been on my monthly for 10 days now and it’s goes for at least 2weeks at a time. And I’m not sure what’s going on any advice on what to do. I’ve had 2 kids and it all started after I had my youngest . So what should I do please help.

Allie- I hope by now you have been to a Gynecologist. This is nothing to fool around with. You already know that your periods are not normal, so get yourself checked, please! Ps- Losing this much blood will lower your hemoglobin to the point where, youll pass out. Hope youre not driving when that happens. GO!

Hi everyone, i am having similar problems. I am 50 yrs old and am havings period that last 30 days or more then stop for a week and start again. My dr said i am in perimenopause and have too much estrogen. I went thru a bunch of testes tomake sure there was no cancer, no fibriods, no endometiosis. I have also had an ablation done but this has not helped. He says the only other thing to do is have a hysterectomy but i feel that that is just eliminating the symtom nit fixing the problem-i will still have too much estrogen pumping thru my body. I was told that perimenopause can last up to 8 years. I have been trying some holistic things that arent really helping but you might have success. I take Vitex (chaste berry), shepards purse, i drink raspbery leaf tea and add maca powder to my tea and food. These may help you. You can get them at a health food store but please see a dr to maje sure you dont have anything more serious then a hormonal imbalance

Get yourselves to a Gynecologist!! ALL of you! Having heavy or prolonged periods is NOT normal! I was in the same boat, it got to the point where I couldn’t function, I was bleeding through everything..day and night. I had to have 2 blood transfusions, my hemoglobin was soooo low. I finally had to have a hysterectomy at the age of 45. What are you waiting for?? Go now!

Hello ladies, I’m at the 3 week mark with my period which also has never happened. Just had a ultrasound done yesterday so hoping for answers from that today or tomorrow. Your not suffering alone but it’s a must to see your doctor only you know your body! Will post results when I have one.

Hi please am just 18 and am having my period for almost 3 months now without nonstop am really worried and frustrated.I can even get close to people because it smells bad. I need help 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

My daughter is 18, has taken depo shot, multiple birth control, seen dr over and over and continues to have period. She is frustrated always worri d about going out, has cramps, ultrasound showed nothing but i think thats wrong! Dont know where to turn! please help

I have been bleeding since Jan 9 2018 I’m 40 yrs old and the Dr won’t do anything I had my tubs done 11 yrs ago and she won’t the labrasion surgery bc she said I still can kids I don’t won’t no more kids 3 months of straight bleeding I’m done I can’t do anything I’m just so tired and weak this not me

Hey
I feel PCOS and last time my periods were abnormal It lasted more than 20days, that also when I went to doctor she prescribed me medicine. Which helped me… I recently came to Canada, the medicine which I took are back home. I don’t have access to doctor here. And my periods are prolonging this time also. It’s been 9days now. I’m very upset. Kindly give me advice or solution.

It’s a wonder that no doctor has commented on this. I am on the 28th day this month for 3 months in a row they keep getting longer and longer and I’m extremely tired I can hardly stay awake at work and school doctor told me to double up on my birth control I feel extensive testing should be followed up as a routine procedure don’t know what’s wrong with these doctors. I’m 32 not sexuality active so it’s not a miscarriage.

I had a period that went on for six weeks. It stopped only after I took progesterone. It stopped within a day once I started taking the progesterone. I had to beg and plead my doctor to do something for weeks before she finally prescribed me the progesterone, not sure why she didn’t just do that much earlier. That was such a relief when the bleeding finally did stop, and the progesterone made my next period normal again. The only downside is that the progesterone makes you really hungry all the time, but it was worth it to stop the bleeding. Anyway, don’t let anyone tell you that nothing can be done or that you just have to wait for it to stop naturally, that is plain bs. Demand and insist with your provider that something be done, and ask about a prescription for progesterone. Cheers.

im only 31 years old. i know that prolonged periods occur with women who are in their 40s or 50s because of menopause. i have always regular period but it changed a month ago when i didnt had any period at all,but experienced light spotting. and I finally from the 2nd of May, I finally had my period but since that day it had never stopped. its already my 11th day and still flowing. but my menstrual blood looks like fresh blood, its odorless but fresh blood.. God please help me, help us!!!!

I have found that getting on progesterone helps. It’s a hormone that is needed when the body has too much estrogen to balance the two hormones. Birth control Is estrogen. I use a natural progesterone. Bio-identical hormone is more like what is produced in your body. This helped me, but each person should get the hormones tested.

My periods used to be very much normal for 5to 6 days..it all stopped since I hit 41 last year 2017. Since this Jan 2018 my period are heavy and prolonged . Gy and Endo did most of the tests and it’s normal. I.was precribed birth control pills but I couldn’t continue as it made me bleed more. No idea what’s going on… this month my period is back and just continues… Sometimes my pads are not soakedup but whenever I pee I bleed.. I really hate to go to restrooms now. I am.unable to sit anywhere .. need help.

Hello, I’m having the same problem as most of the women posting here. I don’t know what can help but I do know what to stay away from while my period is on: aspirin, alcohol, smoking and heavy lifting. Hot bath with epson salt help but you must lay down after so not to have cramping. Heating pad will help too.